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Home , Ben Wallace (politician), House of Lords, Lord Privy Seal, West Midlands (region)

Session 2021-22 Thursday No. 22 24 June 2021

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES ()

HOUSE OF

WRITTEN STATEMENTS AND WRITTEN ANSWERS

Written Statements ...... 1 Written Answers ...... 5

[I] indicates that the member concerned has a relevant registered interest. The full register of interests can be found at http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/standards-and-interests/register-of-lords-interests/ Members who want a printed copy of Written Answers and Written Statements should notify the Printed Paper Office. This printed edition is a reproduction of the original text of Answers and Statements, which can be found on the internet at http://www.parliament.uk/writtenanswers/. Ministers and others who make Statements or answer Questions are referred to only by name, not their ministerial or other title. The current list of ministerial and other responsibilities is as follows.

Minister Responsibilities Baroness Evans of Leader of the and Howe Deputy Leader of the House of Lords Lord Agnew of Oulton Minister of State, Treasury and Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Lord Ashton of Hyde Baroness Barran Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Lord Benyon Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Baroness Berridge Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, and Department for International Trade Lord Bethell Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Care Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Whip Waldrist Lord Callanan Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Deputy Chief Whip Lord Frost Minister of State, Cabinet Office Baroness Goldie Minister of State, Ministry of Defence Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Lord Greenhalgh Minister of State, and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Lord Grimstone of Boscobel Minister of State, Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and Department for International Trade Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay Whip Baroness Penn Whip Baroness Scott of Bybrook Whip Baroness Stedman-Scott Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions Lord Stewart of Dirleton Advocate-General for Lord True Minister of State, Cabinet Office Baroness Vere of Norbiton Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Baroness Williams of Trafford Minister of State, Home Office Lord Wolfson of Tredegar Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Justice Younger of Leckie Whip

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Written Statements 24 June 2021 Page 1

notice of her intention to do so. This is a right the United Written Statements Kingdom affords to Russia and other states in the context of the UK’s territorial waters, including the Dover TSS in Thursday, 24 June 2021 the English Channel. The , as well as other NATO and partner Exercises in the Black Sea nations, have enjoyed a routine maritime presence in the Black Sea for many years. At the time of this interaction, [HLWS115] there were both Dutch and US warships operating Baroness Goldie: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of elsewhere within the Black Sea. The Royal Navy’s State for Defence (The Rt Hon Ben Wallace MP) has presence is about cooperating with our partners and Allies made the following Written Ministerial Statement: to advance regional security, stability and freedom of On Wednesday 23 June 2021, HMS DEFENDER (a navigation. Type 45 Destroyer), left the Ukrainian port of Odesa en HMS DEFENDER continues with her planned route to the Georgian port of Batumi in the Black Sea. deployment and programme of visits. The Royal Navy HMS DEFENDER conducted innocent passage through will always uphold international and will not accept Ukrainian territorial waters via a direct route using a unlawful interference with innocent passage. traffic separation scheme (TSS), as is the right of the (and all nations) under international FCDO Services Ministerial Targets 2021-22 maritime law. This TSS is governed by the International Maritime Organisation and is designed to assist vessels in [HLWS112] safely transiting congested waterways. The United Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: FCDO Services operates Kingdom does not recognise any Russian claim to these as a trading fund of the Foreign, Commonwealth & waters, nor do we recognise the assertion from the Development Office (FCDO). I have set the following Russian Ministry of Defence that HMS DEFENDER was ambitious performance targets for 2021-2022: in violation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1) An in-year surplus in excess of 0.0% before interest, (UNCLOS). tax and dividend; At 0950 BST, HMS DEFENDER entered the TSS, 2) Achievement of the return on capital employed inside Ukrainian territorial waters. At 1000 BST, a (ROCE) of at least 6.5% (weighted average); Russian coastguard vessel warned that Russian units 3) A productivity ratio of at least 82%, measuring would shortly commence a live fire gunnery exercise. At 1008 BST, HMS DEFENDER noted gunnery astern and actual billable hours versus available billable hours; out of range of her position. This posed no danger to 4) An in-year customer satisfaction rating average at HMS DEFENDER. During her transit, HMS least of 82%; DEFENDER was overflown by Russian combat aircraft at 5) An average Civil Service People Survey “Your Say” varying heights, the lowest of which was approximately score for ‘Employee Engagement’ of at least 61%; and 500 feet. These aircraft posed no immediate threat to 6) An average Civil Service People Survey “Your Say” HMS DEFENDER, but some of these manoeuvres were score for ‘My Manager’ of at least 65%. neither safe nor professional. HMS DEFENDER responded by VHF radio to the Russian units on several FCDO Services will report to Parliament on its success occasions and was, at all times, courteous and against these targets through its Annual Report and professional. Accounts for 2021-2022. FCDO Services is a Trading Fund of the FCDO. It HMS DEFENDER maintained a safe course throughout provides a range of integrated, secure services worldwide her innocent passage, on one occasion manoeuvring to to the FCDO and other UK Government departments, avoid a hazard presented by a Russian coastguard vessel supporting the delivery of government agendas. Services before re-assuming her intended course. HMS include protective security, estates and construction, cloud DEFENDER completed the passage safely and in computing, communications and monitoring, logistics, accordance with her intended route, departed Ukrainian translation and interpreting. This is combined with a territorial waters at 1026 BST. At no point were warning portfolio of global maintenance work. FCDO Services shots fired at HMS DEFENDER, nor bombs dropped in also manages the UK National Authority for Counter her path as has been asserted by the Russian authorities. Eavesdropping (UK NACE), helping protect UK assets Later on Wednesday 23 June 2021, the United from physical, electronic and cyber-attack. Kingdom’s Defence Attaché was invited to a meeting in the Russian Ministry of Defence at which he received a High Fat, Sugar and Salt Advertising note verbale. This will be considered and addressed in due course. Consultation Response Under Article 19 of UNCLOS, HMS DEFENDER had [HLWS117] the right to exercise innocent passage through Ukrainian Lord Bethell: My Hon Friend the Parliamentary Under territorial waters in the manner she did without giving any Secretary of State (Minister for Prevention, Public Health Page 2 24 June 2021 Written Statements and Primary Care) (Jo Churchill) has today made the ensure that brands are not pigeonholed as synonymous following written ministerial statement: with HFSS products and have the freedom to Today, I am pleased to announce that Government is reformulate and move towards offering healthier publishing the consultation response to both the 2019 and products. 2020 consultations. This outlines the final UK wide • Small Medium Enterprises (SME) (online & 9pm policy on restricting High Fat, Salt and Sugar (HFSS) watershed): Businesses with 249 employees or fewer, advertising which we intend to legislate for in the that pay to advertise HFSS products that they upcoming Health and Care . manufacture and/or sell, will be exempt from the HFSS Covid-19 has brought the dangers of obesity into sharp restrictions and can continue to advertise. focus and highlighted that as a country we need to address • Audio (online only): As the impact and levels of child the risks obesity presents. The Prime Minister has been exposure to HFSS advertising on audio-only media (e.g. clear that helping the nation get fitter and healthier must podcasts, online only radio) remain unclear, these forms be a national priority and will make us more resilient to of media are not subject to restrictions. diseases in the future. • Business to Business (online only): Businesses can In 2018 Government set the ambition to halve continue to promote their products or services to other childhood obesity by 2030 and help adults reach a businesses, which we hope will prevent unintended healthier weight. As part of a suite of measures to meet consequences of impeding business activity where this ambition, is it important that we reduce children’s commerce is not with the purpose of encouraging exposure to advertising for products high in fat, sugar and children's consumption of HFSS food or drink. salt (HFSS) on TV and online. We want to ensure that the media our children engage with mostly promotes a • Transactional content (online only): To ensure that healthy diet. Evidence suggests that exposure to HFSS online content for the purpose of facilitating advertising can affect what and when children eat, transactions involved in buying and selling products can shaping children’s food preferences from a young age. continue and that consumers have enough information Over time, excess consumption can lead to children at the point of sale/purchase. becoming overweight or obese, all of which puts their The enforcement approach will mirror current future health at risk, already 1 in 3 children leaving frameworks with broadcasters and ODPS under UK primary school is overweight or living with obesity. jurisdiction being liable for breaches of the watershed and In July 2020, as part of the ‘Tackling Obesity’ strategy, advertisers being liable online. Ofcom will also be Government announced its intention to implement a 9pm appointed as the appropriate regulatory authority for these watershed on TV for advertising high in fat, sugar and salt restrictions and will be able to appoint a day-to-day (HFSS). This followed on from a consultation held by regulator to carry out frontline regulation. The DCMS and DHSC in 2019. Government also announced Government expects the Advertising Standards Authority it wanted to go further online and from November to (ASA) to fulfil this role. December 2020 held a public consultation on introducing Obesity is a complex issue that will not be solved by a total HFSS restriction online. one policy alone. This is why our strategy includes a suite Shaping the marketing to our children of measures such as expanding weight management services and restricting promotions of HFSS products. We will be introducing a 9pm watershed on TV and UK On-Demand Programme Services (ODPS) alongside a This is the latest measure to support individuals to restriction of paid-for advertising online. improve their health and thereby reduce pressure on the NHS. I welcome your support and your views on how we The product categories in scope of the restriction have can support the nation to get healthier and achieve our been revised since consultation to focus on those that are ambition of halving childhood obesity by 2030. of most concern to childhood obesity. The healthiest products within a specific category can still be advertised and products such as butter, olive oil, and condiments are Landscapes Review: Government Response out of scope. This is consistent with the approach used for [HLWS113] the promotion restrictions on volume and location which Lord Benyon: My Right Hon Friend the Secretary of is also part of the strategy. State () has today made the following The online restriction is limited to paid-for advertising statement: and will not apply to ‘owned media’ – those spaces online In May 2018, Defra commissioned Julian Glover and an where full editorial control and ownership applies, such as independent panel to consider how we might improve the a brand’s own blog, website or social media page. management of our National Parks and Areas of The policy will have a number of exemptions to balance Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs). health benefits and impacts on business. These are as Their report, the Landscapes Review, was published in follows: September 2019. It set out a series of recommendations, • Brand advertising (online & 9pm watershed): including that more should be done to support nature’s Provided there are no identifiable HFSS products, food recovery in these landscapes; that the status of AONBs and drink brands can continue to advertise. This is to should be strengthened; that there was a need to bring the Written Statements 24 June 2021 Page 3 family of protected landscapes closer together with more recommendations in full and consult on draft proposals strategic oversight and greater opportunities for career later this year. progression; and that more funding should support public access to protected landscapes. News UK Undertakings: Application for The government agrees that more funding should be Release in Full directed towards making space for nature and supporting nature’s recovery in our protected landscapes. Since the [HLWS116] review was published, we have been supporting important Baroness Barran: On 1 February 2021, News UK projects in our protected landscapes through our Nature submitted an application to the Department for Digital, for Climate Fund and Green Recovery Challenge Fund. Culture, Media and Sport requesting that the Secretary of Our future Local Nature Recovery scheme, part of the State release in full the Undertakings that were accepted future agriculture policy, will also support the objective of by the then Secretary of State (The Rt Hon nature’s recovery in our protected landscapes and beyond. QC MP) in 2019, to replace Conditions put in place by I have also asked Natural to prepare proposals the then Secretary of State for Trade (the Rt Hon. John for the possible designation of additional National Nature Biffin MP) in 1981. Reserves, where there is landowner support, and to News UK has submitted that the changes in the consider how nature’s recovery within such designations newspaper industry and the challenges posed by the might be supported financially through our new COVID-19 pandemic mean that the Undertakings are no Landscape Recovery scheme (also part of our future longer necessary. agriculture policy). They note that the Undertakings place them at a The government also agrees that we should do more to competitive disadvantage to other newspapers, and that support public access to protected landscapes. Today, I the release is necessary to allow the continued provision am announcing the new Farming in Protected Landscapes of quality news by and . programme, which will provide additional investment to Copies of the invitation to comment and the application allow farmers and other land managers to work in documents will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses. partnership with our National Park Authorities and The deadline for comments is 5pm on 15 July. This AONB teams to improve public access, and deliver bigger application will be considered in a quasi-judicial manner and better outcomes for the environment, for people and through a fair and transparent process. for places. If, after considering the responses, the Secretary of Natural England also will be taking forward the State is minded to release, or vary the Undertakings, there government’s commitment to designate additional will be a further consultation on this decision as required protected landscapes and is currently considering the by legislation. designation of four new areas. • Yorkshire Wolds AONB. UK MINUSMA Deployment • Cheshire Sandstone Ridge AONB. [HLWS114] • An extension to the Surrey Hills AONB. Baroness Goldie: My hon. Friend the Minister for the • An extension to the Chilterns AONB. Armed Forces (James Heappey MP) has made the This work will contribute to the government’s following Written Ministerial Statement: commitment of protecting 30% of our land by 2030, and I would like to update the House on my previous boosting biodiversity, while taking forward the review’s statement (HCWS622), announcing the start of the UK’s recommendation to designate more areas of the country Long-Range Reconnaissance Group (LRRG) deployment for their natural beauty. to the United Nations’ Multidimensional Integrated Each of our protected landscapes has its own identity, Stabilisation Mission in Mali, MINUSMA. and many of their functions require local accountability. The UK’s first rotation to MINUSMA, led by the Light However, we are also considering how their structures Dragoons, began in December 2020 and I am pleased to might be changed so that we can bring the family of report that they have now completed their handover to protected landscapes closer together, and ensure there is their successors, following a successful six-month more strategic direction nationally, while retaining their deployment. local functions. We will also be exploring opportunities to Our troops have so far delivered on their objectives - to increase private investment, particularly by diversifying contribute to improving the UN mission’s performance funding sources to include emerging markets in natural and to help reduce the spread of insecurity across Mali capital and other commercial opportunities. We are also and the wider Sahel. considering options to strengthen the status and support given to Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Our forces have engaged with Malian communities who recommendation to possibly change their name. The had never before met UN forces to understand their needs Government will be working closely with our partners and concerns. They have gathered intelligence to support over the coming months including local authorities and mission planning and improve overall mission National Park Authorities, to address the review's performance, including the protection of civilians. They Page 4 24 June 2021 Written Statements also led MINUSMA’s first Cordon and Search operation activity aligns with planned adjustments to France’s for some time, seizing weapons and equipment hidden by footprint in the Sahel. terrorists threatening local communities, and Our peacekeeping deployment to Mali is part of a demonstrating how UK personnel can make an innovative broader HMG contribution seeking to help tackle the root and effective contribution to the mission. causes of conflict. This includes a number of UK funded Their high performance and professionalism have been programmes across Mali that intend to not only improve acknowledged by international partners on the ground, the lives of the civilian population, but also complement and the UN Force Commander. the tasks conducted by our Armed Forces. Programmes The Light Dragoon-led task group has been replaced by include helping communities resolve conflicts over land a contingent led by the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Anglian and resources; supporting women in taking a stronger role Regiment, with personnel drawn from The Queen’s in conflict resolution; and helping civilian and military Dragoon Guards and other units from across the Armed actors to better coordinate work. Forces. While I am pleased to report that the troops in our first I congratulate our returning troops on completion of a rotation will arrive home safe and well, we remain clear successful tour in a challenging and dangerous that this mission does not come without risk to those environment, and I am confident that the second rotation deployed. We regularly assess risks and will continue to is well placed to build on the solid foundations laid by make adjustments to ensure our forces can conduct those preceding them. The new UK Task Group will be operations safely. under the command of Lt Col Will Meddings, of the Lessons identified from our first rotation will be applied Royal Anglian Regiment, and will continue to form a to future MINUSMA deployments. We will also continue crucial component of the Mission and Force, working to draw on insight provided by the LRRG to support our alongside over 60 other nations. efforts within the UN in New to drive policy reform. Despite the successes of our Armed Forces, we are They will feed into a review of our future commitment at conscious that the ongoing situation in Mali remains the end of the year. complex and needs a whole of government approach to As outlined in the , the UK achieve our desired results. The coup in Mali last month deployment to MINUSMA is a clear demonstration of reinforces the important role the international this government’s commitment to play a leading plays in supporting stability in the country. The UK international role in multilateralism, collective security remains committed to the transition process towards and conflict resolution. I am pleased to report on the democratic, constitutional rule in Mali. We will also successes of this first rotation, and will provide further maintain a close relationship with our allies, ensuring our updates to the House as the deployment progresses.

Written Answers 24 June 2021 Page 5

Written Answers Arab States: Uighurs Asked by The of Lothian Thursday, 24 June 2021 To ask Her 's Government what assessment they have made of reports of the detention of Uighurs in Africa: Overseas Aid (1) Egypt, (2) the UAE, and (3) Saudi Arabia; and their forced deportation to China at the request of the Asked by Lord Alton of government of China since 2017. [HL1012] To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The UK are taking to support low and middle-income countries continues to take a global leadership role in standing up in Africa; and what recent assessment they have made for the rights of Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities in of the potential effect of reductions in the UK aid Xinjiang. We have repeatedly called on countries to budget on support to those countries. [HL984] respect their obligations not to force persons to return to a Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: Following a country where there are substantial grounds for believing thorough review, the FCDO's aid budget for countries in they would be in danger of fundamental rights violations. sub-Saharan Africa has been allocated in accordance with We also encourage all states, including the UAE, Egypt UK strategic priorities against a challenging financial and Saudi Arabia, to uphold international human rights climate of COVID. It focuses our investment and obligations. Most recently, the expertise on issues where the UK can make the most discussed the situation in Xinjiang with the Saudi Foreign difference and achieve maximum strategic coherence, Minister on 19 May. impact, and value for money. Impacts on women and girls, the most marginalised and vulnerable, people with Customs: Ashford disabilities and people from other protected groups were Asked by Baroness Randerson considered. To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of light pollution from the Andrei Pivavarov Sevington inland border facility; and whether they plan to reduce the size of this facility given its levels of use. Asked by The [HL1020] To ask Her Majesty's Government what explanation, if any, they have sought from the government of Russia Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The Department for Transport is aware of concerns raised about the level of for the treatment of Andrei Pivovarov, who was lighting at Sevington IBF and has acted to minimise arrested on 31 May and subsequently charged with disturbance by turning off the lights in one of the belonging to an ‘undesirable’ organisation. [HL1009] contingency parking areas in the south-east of the site. Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The UK The Department will be switching off the lighting in the Government is concerned about the arrest and detention second contingency parking area in the north-west of the of Andrei Pivovarov. The British Ambassador to Russia site by the end of June. Additionally, we have raised Mr Pivovarov's case with authorities in St commissioned a detailed lighting survey to better Petersburg on 3 June. We continue to raise our concern understand the issue. Once concluded, we will evaluate about the deteriorating human rights situation with the the findings and recommendations from the survey, and Russian Government and make clear that Russia must we’ll share an action plan with the immediate affected fulfil its international commitments to ensure respect for residents. human rights and fundamental freedoms. The Sevington site operates on a 24/7 basis with lighting required throughout the night to ensure the site operates safely. Angola: Convention on Cluster Munitions There is no intention to reduce the physical size of the Asked by Baroness Northover facility, but the business-as-usual operational capacity of the site will reduce. As part of this, the Department will To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the United st Kingdom plans to use its presidency of the Convention be suspending the use of the two overflow areas from 1 on Cluster Munitions to encourage Angola to ratify the July. However, these areas remain available for contingency traffic management measures should they be treaty. [HL1017] required by the Kent Resilience Forum. Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The UK will assume the Presidency of the Convention on Cluster Customs: Kent Munitions (CCM) in September. We will use this opportunity to encourage states to ratify and implement Asked by Baroness Randerson this treaty, including Angola. We are committed to seeing To ask Her Majesty's Government why meetings the CCM become a truly global Convention. arranged with relevant councils in Kent on the planned Page 6 24 June 2021 Written Answers

White Cliffs Inland Border Facility have been from Dependencies who meet the residency cancelled; why no such meetings on this planned requirements, and who come to England solely for the facility have been held since March; and why the purposes of higher or further education study from the reasons for the cancellation of these meetings have not 2021/22 academic year. This underpins our strong been explained to local residents and councillors. commitment to the UK’s relationship with the Crown [HL1019] Dependencies. Baroness Vere of Norbiton: Engagement has Students from the make an continued with local representative on White Cliffs. Some important contribution to our universities, and it is specific meetings have been cancelled or postponed, due, testament to the appeal and success of our higher for instance, to the normal rules on public engagements in education sector that so many students from the Crown a pre-election period. Dependencies choose to come and study here. Activities on the White Cliffs project have, in any case, This decision was communicated to the respective slowed down because of a Cabinet Office-led review of governments of the Crown Dependencies, to the Office the Inland Border Facilities in Kent to ensure that for Students, and on GOV.UK in January 2021, before modelling and costings were fully explored for any regulations were made in February 2021, and came into option. We delayed holding a further meeting until there force in March 2021. was a substantive update to provide to stakeholders with. Asked by Baroness Randerson Horse Riding To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment Asked by Baroness Hodgson of Abinger they have made of why the use of the inland border facilities in Kent was less than was predicted prior to To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they the end of the Transition period with the European have to ensure that bridle-paths are prevented from Union. [HL1021] being tarmacked. [HL1000] Lord Agnew of Oulton: The Government has Asked by Baroness Hodgson of Abinger successfully delivered Inland Border Facilities (IBFs) to To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are address the issue of some ports not having sufficient taking to open more farmland and off-road areas for space to develop the infrastructure needed for customs horse riders. [HL1001] control. Asked by Baroness Hodgson of Abinger The IBF network has been designed to manage peak demand which is expected to be reached in 2022, To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment following the end of staged customs control. The demand they have made of the danger that cyclists can pose to forecasts used for planning purposes are based on a horse riders; and what plans they have to mitigate this reasonable worst-case scenario in order to ensure there is danger on shared routes. [HL1002] sufficient capacity at IBFs in 2021 and beyond. Asked by Baroness Hodgson of Abinger There are a number of factors which affect demand at IBFs including the overall levels of trade and the number To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are of traders choosing to delay declarations under staged taking to ensure that there is a connected bridle-ways customs controls. network for horse riders so that they can avoid roads and the dangers posed by increased traffic. [HL999] Higher Education: Fees and Charges Lord Benyon: Public rights of way are a local matter and are handled by individual local highway authorities. Asked by Lord Wallace of Saltaire Local authorities are required to keep a Rights of Way To ask Her Majesty's Government what consultations Improvement Plan (ROWIP) to plan improvements to they held with higher education institutions in England their network, which is usually available on the before they decided to extend the provision of home authority’s website. I would hope local authorities, fees for students from the Crown Dependencies to all whenever possible, would look at the needs of all users, higher education institutions. [HL1137] including , cyclists and horse-riders. Safety must Asked by Lord Wallace of Saltaire be a consideration in this process. Local authorities receive most of their rights of way To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions funding from central Government through the Revenue they have had with the governments of the Crown Support Grant to deliver various duties, including Dependencies on the allocation of costs for the ROWIPs. It is not ring-fenced and we cannot say how extension of home fees to all students and institutions in much authorities should spend on ROWIPs. It is up to England before that decision was announced. [HL1138] local authorities to manage their own budgets and decide Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay: We have updated how much they should spend on their different duties, and our regulations to grant home fee status for those students for local people to hold them to account. Written Answers 24 June 2021 Page 7

Immigration Controls: Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The UK regularly raises the issue of forced evictions from their Asked by The Marquess of Lothian homes with the Government of Israel. The Fourth Geneva To ask Her Majesty's Government how many Convention, which applies to all occupied territories, additional Border Force staff have been mobilised since prohibits demolitions or forced evictions absent military 17 May to reduce the queueing time at passport control necessity. The UK is clear that in all but the most in Heathrow Airport; and what is the average queueing exceptional of circumstances, evictions are contrary to time at passport control on arrival at Heathrow. International Humanitarian Law. The practice causes [HL1007] unnecessary suffering to Palestinians and is harmful to efforts to promote peace. We monitor the situation in Baroness Williams of Trafford: Border Force is Silwan closely, and officials regularly visited and attend ensuring that it has the right level of resources to check related court hearings. We continue to urge Israel to cease that passengers are compliant with our border health such actions. measures to minimise wait times at the border whilst ensuring we maintain border security and public health. We have taken steps to make sure that there is the Land Mines: maximum number of additional Border Force officers Asked by Baroness Northover possible to carry out those crucial checks, ensuring compliance with health measures, while minimizing wait To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment time. they have made of the impact on global landmine casualty rates of reducing funding to humanitarian mine Since January 2020 to May 2021 Border Force overall action programmes. [HL1016] workforce has grown by over 290 to a figure of around 9,300 FTE. Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The UK has This is in addition to the return of staff from detached invested £124million to help clear deadly explosive duty and the return of critically vulnerable staff to the devices worldwide in the last three years through the front line, as well the capability to deploy resources Global Mine Action Programme 2. The UK is looking flexibly across the United Kingdom to deal with any forward to starting phase 3 of the Global Mine Action increase on demand. Programme (GMAP3) in 2022. MAP3 will involve landmine clearance and risk education to help affected As the Director General of Border Force stated at the communities keep safe, and capacity development for Public Account Committee session on the 10th June, the national authorities to help them manage their landmine average time this year for anyone travelling through contamination. Heathrow has been under 30 minutes. Ministry of Defence: Mothers Iraq: Kurds Asked by Lord Blencathra Asked by Lord Austin of To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will Ministry of Defence, in any of its official (1) make a statement on the activities of the British Council paperwork, (2) guidance, (3) instructions, (4) manuals, in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. [HL986] or (5) other documents, (a) has replaced, or (b) intends to replace, the word “mother” with the phrase “parent Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The British who has given birth”. [HL1156] Council maintains an office in Erbil and all of the British Council's cultural relations activities in Iraq extend to the Baroness Goldie: The Ministry of Defence has not Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). This includes mandated the use of such language and there are no programmes in arts and culture, education and English. current plans to replace the word 'mother' with the phrase The British Council runs a free digital library service 'parent who has given birth' in Departmental paperwork, across Iraq, including KRI, and paid education services in guidance, instructions, manuals or other documents. online English teaching and face-to-face English language assessment at centres in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah. Motorways Jerusalem: Palestinians Asked by Lord Goodlad To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they Asked by Lord Foster of Bath have to review the smart motorway programme. To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions, [HL1056] if any, they have had with the government of Israel Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The Government regarding reports of the forced displacement of continues to monitor and evaluate the safety performance Palestinian families in Silwan. [HL991] of all our roads. Following the publication of the Smart Page 8 24 June 2021 Written Answers

Motorway Safety Evidence Stocktake and Action Plan in Bedfordshire 51 March 2020, published the first-year progress report in April of this year. Cambridgeshire 73 The report demonstrates the significant progress that Cheshire 194 has been made against the 18 Stocktake actions. The data Cleveland 128 contained in the progress report confirms that, on average, fatal casualty rates are lower on All Lane Running (ALR) Cumbria 76 motorways compared with conventional ones. Derbyshire 174 Highways England is accelerating safety improvements Devon & 199 to give reassurance to motorists on ALR motorways. By the end of September 2022, it will: install technology on Dorset 115 all existing stretches of ALR motorway to spot stopped or Durham 126 broken-down vehicles quickly, six months earlier than Dyfed- 144 planned; upgrade special cameras ten months earlier than planned, so that they can be used to spot; prosecute Essex 111 motorists ignoring ‘red X’ signs and illegally driving Gloucestershire 106 down closed lane, putting themselves and others in danger; and install around 1,000 additional approach signs Greater 575 six months earlier than planned, alerting drivers to their Gwent 129 nearest place to stop in an emergency. Hampshire 233 Significantly, Highways England has also made a commitment that no ALR motorways will open without Hertfordshire 209 the radar technology to spot stopped vehicles, enable 184 lanes to be closed where necessary and get help to drivers Kent 300 quickly. Work to update The Highway Code to provide more guidance about driving on ALR motorways has also 248 been brought forward and is due to be published this year Leicestershire 177 ahead of schedule, subject to Parliamentary approval. Lincolnshire 101 Police Community Support Officers , City of 5 Asked by Lord Hay of Ballyore Merseyside 211 To ask Her Majesty's Government how many police Metropolitan Police 1,273 community support officers there were in each police Norfolk 0 force area in England and in 2019. [HL994] North Wales 191

Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Home Office North Yorkshire 178 collects and publishes data on the size and composition of the police workforce in on a biannual Northamptonshire 98 basis in the ‘Police workforce, England and Wales’ Northumbria 215 statistical bulletin, available here: Police workforce Nottinghamshire 167 England and Wales statistics - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). The latest police community support officer numbers South Wales 365 were released in the publication covering the situation as South Yorkshire 177 at 30 September 2020. Data covering the situation as at 31 211 March 2020 and previous years are available in open data format here: Police workforce open data tables - Suffolk 42 GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Surrey 108

The number of police community support officers (full 253 time-equivalent, FTE) in the 43 territorial England and Wales forces as at 30 September 2019 is provided in the Thames Valley 349 table below: 83

Police Community Support West 225 Officers (PCSO), England and Wales West 436 As at 30 September, 2019 West Yorkshire 594 Force FTE Wiltshire 144

Avon & 313 Total 9,292 Written Answers 24 June 2021 Page 9

While the ‘Police workforce, England and Wales’ Humberside 166 statistical bulletin remains the key measure of the size of the police workforce, as part of the Police Officer Uplift Kent 326 Programme, the Home Office also publishes a quarterly Lancashire 267 update on the number of officers (headcount) in England Leicestershire 190 and Wales. Data are available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/police- Lincolnshire 94 officer-uplift-statistics. London, City of 5 Asked by Lord Hay of Ballyore Merseyside 189 To ask Her Majesty's Government how many police Metropolitan Police 1,260 community support officers there were in each police Norfolk 0 force area in England and Wales in 2020. [HL997] North Wales 175 Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Home Office collects and publishes data on the size and composition of North Yorkshire 233 the police workforce in England and Wales on a biannual Northamptonshire 88 basis in the ‘Police workforce, England and Wales’ Northumbria 178 statistical bulletin, available here: Police workforce England and Wales statistics - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Nottinghamshire 160 The latest police community support officer numbers South Wales 352 were released in the publication covering the situation as South Yorkshire 138 at 30 September 2020. Data covering the situation as at 31 March 2020 and previous years are available in open data Staffordshire 219 format here: Police workforce open data tables - Suffolk 42 GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Surrey 156 The number of police community support officers (full time-equivalent, FTE) in the 43 territorial England and Sussex 275 Wales forces as at 30 September 2020 is provided in the Thames Valley 283 table below: Warwickshire 83 Police Community Support West Mercia 217 Officers (PCSO), England and Wales 467 As at 30 September, 2020 West Yorkshire 576 Force FTE Wiltshire 125

Avon & Somerset 315 Total 9,115 Bedfordshire 45 While the ‘Police workforce, England and Wales’ Cambridgeshire 70 statistical bulletin remains the key measure of the size of Cheshire 187 the police workforce, as part of the Police Officer Uplift Programme, the Home Office also publishes a quarterly Cleveland 89 update on the number of officers (headcount) in England Cumbria 67 and Wales. Data are available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/police- Derbyshire 191 officer-uplift-statistics. Devon & Cornwall 188 Dorset 124 Police: Employment Durham 129 Asked by Lord Hay of Ballyore Dyfed-Powys 143 To ask Her Majesty's Government how many full- Essex 104 time police officers there were in each police force area in England and Wales in 2019. [HL992] Gloucestershire 105 Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Home Office Greater Manchester 552 collects and publishes data on the size and composition of Gwent 131 the police workforce in England and Wales on a biannual Hampshire 214 basis in the ‘Police workforce, England and Wales’ statistical bulletin, available here: Police workforce Hertfordshire 195 England and Wales statistics - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Page 10 24 June 2021 Written Answers

The latest officer numbers were released in the Staffordshire 1,579 publication covering the situation as at 30 September 2020. Data covering the situation as at 31 March 2020 Suffolk 1,180 and previous years are available in open data format here: Surrey 1,899 Police workforce open data tables - GOV.UK Sussex 2,647 (www.gov.uk). Thames Valley 4,206 The number of police officers (full time-equivalent, FTE) in the 43 territorial England and Wales forces as at Warwickshire 945 30 September 2019 is provided in the table below. West Mercia 2,129 Police Officers, England and West Midlands 6,405 Wales West Yorkshire 5,168 As at 31 March, 2019 Wiltshire 975 Force FTE Total 124,784 Avon & Somerset 2,691 Bedfordshire 1,191 While the ‘Police workforce, England and Wales’ Cambridgeshire 1,490 statistical bulletin remains the key measure of the size of the police workforce, as part of the Police Officer Uplift Cheshire 2,010 Programme, the Home Office also publishes a quarterly Cleveland 1,226 update on the number of officers (headcount) in England and Wales. Data are available here: Cumbria 1,174 https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/police- Derbyshire 1,800 officer-uplift-statistics. Devon & Cornwall 2,999 Asked by Lord Hay of Ballyore Dorset 1,229 To ask Her Majesty's Government how many police Durham 1,125 constables there were in each police force area in Dyfed-Powys 1,141 England and Wales in 2019. [HL993] Essex 3,187 Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Home Office Gloucestershire 1,119 collects and publishes data on the size and composition of the police workforce in England and Wales on a biannual Greater Manchester 6,539 basis in the ‘Police workforce, England and Wales’ Gwent 1,294 statistical bulletin, available here: Police workforce Hampshire 2,666 England and Wales statistics - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) The latest officer numbers were released in the Hertfordshire 2,030 publication covering the situation as at 30 September Humberside 1,901 2020. Data covering the situation as at 31 March 2020 and previous years are available in open data format here: Kent 3,548 Police workforce open data tables - GOV.UK Lancashire 2,898 (www.gov.uk) Total officer numbers are collected and Leicestershire 1,803 published twice each year covering the situation as at 31 March and 30 September. Data covering officer rank, Lincolnshire 1,076 however, is collected only once and covers the situation London, City of 753 as at 31 March. The number of police constables (full time-equivalent, FTE) in the 43 territorial England and Merseyside 3,588 Wales forces as at 31 March 2019 is provided in the table Metropolitan Police 30,940 below: Norfolk 1,644 Constables, England and Wales North Wales 1,505 As at 31 March 2019

North Yorkshire 1,433 Force Constables Northamptonshire 1,255 Avon & Somerset 2,115 Northumbria 3,084 Bedfordshire 917

Nottinghamshire 1,925 Cambridgeshire 1,155 South Wales 2,995 Cheshire 1,549 South Yorkshire 2,394 Cleveland 941 Written Answers 24 June 2021 Page 11

Cumbria 885 and Wales. Data are available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/police- Derbyshire 1,399 officer-uplift-statistics. Devon & Cornwall 2,228 Asked by Lord Hay of Ballyore Dorset 924 To ask Her Majesty's Government how many full- Durham 859 time police officers there were in each police force area Dyfed-Powys 841 in England and Wales in 2020. [HL995] Essex 2,425 Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Home Office Gloucestershire 793 collects and publishes data on the size and composition of the police workforce in England and Wales on a biannual Greater Manchester 4,960 basis in the ‘Police workforce, England and Wales’ Gwent 1,036 statistical bulletin, available here: Police workforce England and Wales statistics - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Hampshire 2,080 The latest officer numbers were released in the Hertfordshire 1,565 publication covering the situation as at 30 September Humberside 1,495 2020. Data covering the situation as at 31 March 2020 and previous years are available in open data format here: Kent 2,811 Police workforce open data tables - GOV.UK Lancashire 2,257 (www.gov.uk). Leicestershire 1,404 The number of police officers (full time-equivalent, Lincolnshire 800 FTE) in the 43 territorial England and Wales forces as at 30 September 2020 is provided in the table below: London, City of 535 Police Officers, England and Merseyside 2,621 Wales Metropolitan Police 24,235 As at 30 September, 2020

Norfolk 1,237 Force FTE North Wales 1,104 Avon & Somerset 2,886 North Yorkshire 1,057 Bedfordshire 1,300

Northamptonshire 896 Cambridgeshire 1,597 Northumbria 2,413 Cheshire 2,131 Nottinghamshire 1,516 Cleveland 1,373

South Wales 2,271 Cumbria 1,229 South Yorkshire 1,860 Derbyshire 1,861 Staffordshire 1,186 Devon & Cornwall 3,197

Suffolk 920 Dorset 1,268 Surrey 1,387 Durham 1,168 Sussex 2,072 Dyfed-Powys 1,183

Thames Valley 3,204 Essex 3,318 Warwickshire 614 Gloucestershire 1,200 West Mercia 1,497 Greater Manchester 6,965

West Midlands 5,101 Gwent 1,340 West Yorkshire 4,164 Hampshire 2,812 Wiltshire 754 Hertfordshire 2,152

Total 96,084 Humberside 2,005 While the ‘Police workforce, England and Wales’ Kent 3,836 statistical bulletin remains the key measure of the size of Lancashire 3,031 the police workforce, as part of the Police Officer Uplift Leicestershire 2,053 Programme, the Home Office also publishes a quarterly update on the number of officers (headcount) in England Lincolnshire 1,073 Page 12 24 June 2021 Written Answers

London, City of 811 collected only once and covers the situation as at 31 March. Merseyside 3,659 The number of police constables (full time-equivalent, Metropolitan Police 33,177 FTE) in the 43 territorial England and Wales forces as at Norfolk 1,684 31 March 2020 is provided in the table below: North Wales 1,587 Constables, England and Wales

North Yorkshire 1,513 As at 31 March 2020 Northamptonshire 1,343 Force Constables Northumbria 3,309 Avon & Somerset 2,197

Nottinghamshire 2,077 Bedfordshire 998 South Wales 3,081 Cambridgeshire 1,249 South Yorkshire 2,574 Cheshire 1,622

Staffordshire 1,681 Cleveland 1,053 Suffolk 1,240 Cumbria 939 Surrey 1,993 Derbyshire 1,472

Sussex 2,799 Devon & Cornwall 2,328 Thames Valley 4,415 Dorset 917 Warwickshire 1,034 Durham 876

West Mercia 2,256 Dyfed-Powys 843 West Midlands 6,846 Essex 2,647 West Yorkshire 5,391 Gloucestershire 896

Wiltshire 1,019 Greater Manchester 5,329 Total 132,467 Gwent 1,031 While the ‘Police workforce, England and Wales’ Hampshire 2,058 statistical bulletin remains the key measure of the size of Hertfordshire 1,628 the police workforce, as part of the Police Officer Uplift Humberside 1,549 Programme, the Home Office also publishes a quarterly update on the number of officers (headcount) in England Kent 2,985 and Wales. Data are available here: Lancashire 2,320 https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/police- officer-uplift-statistics. Leicestershire 1,521 Asked by Lord Hay of Ballyore Lincolnshire 774 London, City of 547 To ask Her Majesty's Government how many police constables there were in each police force area in Merseyside 2,851 England and Wales in 2020. [HL996] Metropolitan Police 26,077

Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Home Office Norfolk 1,275 collects and publishes data on the size and composition of North Wales 1,143 the police workforce in England and Wales on a biannual basis in the ‘Police workforce, England and Wales’ North Yorkshire 1,117 statistical bulletin, available here: Police workforce Northamptonshire 962 England and Wales statistics - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Northumbria 2,481 The latest officer numbers were released in the publication covering the situation as at 30 September Nottinghamshire 1,635 2020. Data covering the situation as at 31 March 2020 South Wales 2,262 and previous years are available in open data format here: Police workforce open data tables - GOV.UK South Yorkshire 1,898 (www.gov.uk). Staffordshire 1,291 Total officer numbers are collected and published twice Suffolk 956 each year covering the situation as at 31 March and 30 Surrey 1,441 September. Data covering officer rank, however, is Written Answers 24 June 2021 Page 13

Sussex 2,150 service aims to support those who lack social support in making the transition from prison to community and to Thames Valley 3,337 assist in building social networks. Warwickshire 801 Asked by Baroness Healy of Primrose Hill West Mercia 1,717 To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are West Midlands 5,120 taking to support vulnerable women leaving prison by West Yorkshire 4,363 ensuring (1) access to housing, (2) access to benefits and employment, and (3) access to health services. Wiltshire 758 [HL998] Total 101,415 Lord Wolfson of Tredegar: We are investing more While the ‘Police workforce, England and Wales’ than £20m in supporting prison leavers at risk of statistical bulletin remains the key measure of the size of homelessness into temporary accommodation. Individuals the police workforce, as part of the Police Officer Uplift released from prison will be provided up to 12 weeks of Programme, the Home Office also publishes a quarterly temporary accommodation and will be supported to update on the number of officers (headcount) in England secure long-term settled accommodation before the end of and Wales. Data are available here: that 12-week period. Initially launching in five probation https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/police- regions, the service will support around 3,000 offenders in officer-uplift-statistics. its first year and will be commencing this Summer. It will be in operation during the financial year 2021-22, with a view to scaling up and out nationally. Prisoners’ Release: Females The service will take account of the needs of women, Asked by Baroness Royall of Blaisdon including those with complex needs, and accommodation provision will be dedicated to single gender usage as To ask Her Majesty's Government what specific required. Community Probation Practitioners, working measures will be included in the Ministry of Justice’s together with local partners, will be responsible for temporary accommodation service for prison leavers to ensuring that vulnerable female prison leavers receive address the complex needs of vulnerable women. appropriate support and are provided with housing [HL1022] beyond the 12 weeks’ emergency accommodation. Lord Wolfson of Tredegar: We are investing more Commissioned Rehabilitation Services are due to start than £20m in supporting prison leavers at risk of delivery on 26 June 2021 which includes services to assist homelessness into temporary accommodation. Individuals in accommodation; employment training and education; released from prison will be provided up to 12 weeks of financial benefit and debt and personal well-being. temporary accommodation and will be supported to These provide a holistic service for all women leaving secure long-term settled accommodation before the end of prison by providers based in the community into which that 12-week period. Initially launching in five probation they are released. The accommodation service and regions, the service will support around 3,000 offenders in mentoring service both start pre-release. The mentoring its first year and will be commencing this Summer. It will service aims to support those who lack social support in be in operation during the financial year 2021-22, with a making the transition from prison to community and to view to scaling up and rolling out nationally. assist in building social networks. The service will take account of the needs of women, including those with complex needs, and accommodation Prisons: Coronavirus provision will be dedicated to single gender usage as required. Community Probation Practitioners, working Asked by Lord Lee of Trafford together with local partners, will be responsible for To ask Her Majesty's Government how many ensuring that vulnerable female prison leavers receive COVID-19 vaccinations have been given to (1) appropriate support and are provided with housing prisoners, and (2) prison officers; and what effect, if beyond the 12 weeks’ emergency accommodation. any, the vaccinations are having on isolation periods for Commissioned Rehabilitation Services are due to start prisoners in their cells. [HL1005] delivery on 26 June 2021 which includes services to assist Lord Wolfson of Tredegar: Data on the number of in accommodation; employment training and education; adult prisoners in England that have received Covid-19 financial benefit and debt and personal well-being. vaccinations, as of week ending 4 June, as well as the These provide a holistic service for all women leaving number of prison officers in Public Sector and Youth prison by providers based in the community into which Custody Prisons who have declared that they have they are released. The accommodation service and received their Covid-19 vaccinations, as at midday 11 mentoring service both start pre-release. The mentoring June 2021, is provided below.

Page 14 24 June 2021 Written Answers

Staff Roads:

As of midday 11 June Staff who have Staff who have Asked by Lord Pearson of Rannoch declared that they have declared that they have received a first dose received a second dose To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the economic benefits Total 5,688 2,434 that might be realised if responsibility for roads in London was transferred from the and Prisoners Transport for London to the Department for Transport. As of week ending 4 Population who have Population who have [HL1198] June 2021 received a first dose received a second dose Baroness Vere of Norbiton: Strategic roads in London England total 27,520 16,168 are the responsibility of TfL, with each local authority responsible for its respective local road network. The Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) Government has no plans to amend these responsibilities. strongly encourages all staff and prisoners who are eligible and offered the Covid-19 vaccine to be vaccinated South Sudan: Humanitarian Situation as soon as possible. Employees are asked to provide updates onto the HMPPS HR system once they have had Asked by The Marquess of Lothian each dose of the vaccine. As the disclosure of their vaccine status is voluntary, it means the self-declaration To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment rates presented below will very likely be lower than the they have made of the humanitarian situation in South actual number of staff who have been vaccinated. This Sudan; by how much UK aid to South Sudan will be cut data will help us understand staff vaccination take up and as part of the reduction in the Official Development coverage, plan recovery and infection control measures, Assistance budget; how any such cut will represent and inform recovery decisions. value to UK taxpayers; and whether the details of any such cuts have been provided to the government of Data for prisoner vaccinations has been provided by South Sudan. [HL1008] NHS England who are responsible for the vaccination programme. Please note that figures in relation to prisoner Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: According to vaccinations change daily due to the level of activity in figures released by the UN Office for the Coordination of the vaccination programme across the estate and therefore Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), 8.3 million people in can only be read as a snapshot on the day they were South Sudan are in need of humanitarian assistance. An calculated. estimated 7.2 million face high levels of acute food insecurity (including over 100,000 in famine-like Our National Framework for Prison Regimes and conditions), and 1.4 million children are expected to be Services sets out how we will take decisions about easing acutely malnourished in 2021. The Minister for Africa, restrictions in prisons. Prisons continue to progress James Duddridge, witnessed the dire humanitarian through the Stages of the Framework, and vaccination situation first hand when he visited South Sudan with the coverage is an important part of the consideration about UK Special Envoy for Famine and Humanitarian Affairs the necessary degree of restrictions. in October 2020. We remain in regular contact with the Government of Queen Elizabeth II South Sudan and implementing partners on our assistance programme and any impacts of reductions in ODA. While Asked by Lord Berkeley we are still working through what the reduction to UK To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the ODA means for individual programmes, our aid budget Equality Act 2010 applies to the Sovereign in her will be allocated according to the UK's strategic ODA private capacity; what are the reasons for any priorities: global health security, girls' education, exemption; and whether the Government Equalities humanitarian preparedness and response, open societies, Office (1) reviewed any exemption during the passage and conflict resolution. of the Act, and (2) will now review any such Asked by Baroness Northover exemption. [HL915] To ask Her Majesty's Government what role the Baroness Berridge: In common with other legislation, United Kingdom is playing in responding to the the Equality Act 2010 maintains the long standing ongoing humanitarian crisis in South Sudan; and to principle that it is not appropriate for The Sovereign, what extent this includes the clearance of landmines personally, to be the subject of legal action in a Court or and explosive remnants of war. [HL1018] Tribunal. However, the Royal Household has formal arrangements in place that provide a means of hearing and Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The UK has a remedying any complaint that might be raised under the longstanding role supporting the most vulnerable in South Act. Sudan through humanitarian support. Our humanitarian programme provides basic services, critical life-saving There are no plans to review this position. assistance and support to help people to better with Written Answers 24 June 2021 Page 15 the impacts of conflict, drought and flooding. We also other ethnic minority, (4) white, (5) male, and (6) support a number of other initiatives to help end the female. [HL1142] conflict and bring peace for the people of South Sudan. Baroness Stedman-Scott: From the latest provisional As one of the founding signatories to the 1997 Mine statistics published on Stat-Xplore, of the 6.01 million Ban Treaty, the UK is one of the leading supporters of de- people on Universal Credit on 13 May 2021, 2.85 million mining action worldwide. In South Sudan, our Global are male and 3.16 million are female. Mine Action Programme 2 is working with partners to remove landmines and ordnances. As of March 2021, UK Universal Credit claimants have the opportunity to support has helped make safe 1.8 million square metres of complete a survey containing diversity questions, land and provided education on mine risks to nearly including regarding their ethnicity, however answering 25,000 people. these questions is not compulsory and the data available does not reach the threshold to be published. Tigray: Food Supply Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool UNRWA To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment Asked by Baroness Deech they have made of the report by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Acute Food Insecurity To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the value Analysis May – September, published on 10 June, of the UK contribution to the UN Relief and Works which found that that in Tigray “350,000 people are Agency in the last 12 months; and what steps have they suffering from catastrophic levels of hunger”; and what taken to ensure that school books for children supplied assessment they have made of the call from the Food by the UN Relief and Works Agency do not (1) glorify and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the terrorism, and (2) incite violence and hatred. [HL934] United Nations World Food Programme, and UNICEF, Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: In Financial for (1) unimpeded access, (2) an immediate ceasefire, Year 2020/2021, the UK provided £63.6m to UNRWA, and (3) a scaling up of the international response. which includes £7million to the Syria Emergency Appeal [HL985] and £3.8million to the Occupied Palestinian Territories Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The UK shares Emergency Appeal. On 20 May, Minister Cleverly the concerns outlined in the report by the Integrated Food announced that the UK is providing an initial £3.2million Security Phase Classification, and alongside 16 partner to UNRWA's emergency flash appeal, which launched on countries we have called for a humanitarian ceasefire to 19 May. avert the risk of famine. The Minister for Africa and the The UK Government strongly condemns all forms of UK Special Envoy for Famine Prevention and violence and incitement to hatred and will continue to Humanitarian Affairs, Nick Dyer, discussed this and a monitor UNRWA's implementation of its curriculum need for an enhanced international response with framework to ensure lessons taught by UNRWA are in counterparts from G7 and other key donor countries on 9 line with UN values. We accompany our support for June. UNRWA with stringent attention to implementation of Universal Credit their neutrality policy, including how they apply this to textbooks. Asked by Baroness Wilcox of Newport To ask Her Majesty's Government how many Universal Credit claimants are (1) black, (2) Asian, (3)

Index to Statements and Answers

Written Statements ...... 1 Exercises in the Black Sea ...... 1 FCDO Services Ministerial Targets 2021-22 ...... 1 High Fat, Sugar and Salt Advertising Consultation Response ...... 1 Landscapes Review: Government Response ...... 2 News UK Undertakings: Application for Release in Full ...... 3 UK MINUSMA Deployment ...... 3 Written Answers ...... 5 Africa: Overseas Aid ...... 5 Andrei Pivavarov ...... 5 Angola: Convention on Cluster Munitions ...... 5 Arab States: Uighurs...... 5 Customs: Ashford ...... 5 Customs: Kent ...... 5 Higher Education: Fees and Charges...... 6 Horse Riding ...... 6 Immigration Controls: Heathrow Airport ...... 7 Iraq: Kurds ...... 7 Jerusalem: Palestinians ...... 7 Land Mines: Bomb Disposal ...... 7 Ministry of Defence: Mothers ...... 7 Motorways ...... 7 Police Community Support Officers ...... 8 Police: Employment ...... 9 Prisoners’ Release: Females ...... 13 Prisons: Coronavirus ...... 13 Queen Elizabeth II ...... 14 Roads: Greater London ...... 14 South Sudan: Humanitarian Situation ...... 14 Tigray: Food Supply ...... 15 Universal Credit...... 15 UNRWA ...... 15